Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

During a visit to the bookstore at DHS' backlot... formerly known as "Ellen's Buy the BooK", I was casually browsing some of the non-Disney books and novels on sale here. Did not make much of it until I ran into a Jackie Collins' novel. I thought... how campy! Until I by coincidence, opened the book to page 204. There, in capital letters.. La Collins uses the F word several times, in addition to the C word to describe women.

Now I must ask, why is WDW selling this type of filth in their theme parks? Don't they have people in charge of checking the contents of books they choose to sell at the parks? Would you like it if you young children read this stuff at Disney, which is sold just a few feet away from High School musical and Hanna does Montana books?

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

Wait, wait, wait...someone went to the parks to, well, read? Whoa. And seeing how many people in the parks are there daily...and not one person noticed UNTIL NOW?

In other words, I'm thinking there are other worries. Frankly, if my kid picks up Jackie Collins of all books and can actually keep their attention--well, then they can handle that word much more then I could at their age.

Most likely, they have a contract with the publisher and have to put out some of their books. That's like yelling at a movie theatre for not knowing the content of their movies. They are just the venue, they don't get to read the book/see the movie prior to release (technically). So they just put it out. Innocent mistake, I'm sure.

When I worked at a movie theatre we had Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. Released the movie, had it one screen three. Saturday matinee rolls around and parents are livid--LIVID that I was permitting kids into a PG movie where the main characters go to hell. I was like, "they do? They go to hell? All I see is a PG rating...that states 'mild violence.'" But the parents screamed and yelled as if I had the responsiblity to screen the movies for their children.

Whatever.

I do think it's interesting that you declared Jackie Collins as filth AFTER you look within the pages of the cover. I knew it was trash since eons ago. I mean, it's Jackie Collins. You have heard of her, yes?

Funny post, tho, thanks for sharing and I probably would have giggled seeing it too.

Now if they could only do something about that raping and pillaging and selling of women over on that blasted Pirates ride!

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

TDLFan, that bothers me and I 100% percent agree w/you. That is definetly bad show because of the language. Perhaps, if they have to sell that particular merchandise it might be suited at a better location such as Pleasure Island, or other perdominately adult locale. But, to have it sold at the parks, is not o.k.

“The press [should be] a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can't be right all the time. He doesn't bark only when he sees or smells something that's dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.” – Dan Rather

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

I thought WDW wasn't for childern

Seriously though, I am sort of torn on this. It is the f-bomb and it is WDW where there are loads of kids. But then the part of me that rails against the sanitizing of society wants to speak up. Also there is the consideration that this shop is supposed to be a book store, where people can pick up more than just the Disney published pablum. Of course on that matter, I don't think anybody would approve of selling pornography there.

I guess the middle of the road solution I would like to see is to place the "adult" geared books in a section that is removed from childrens easy access.

When I go with my kids to the bookstore, there are all sorts of books that are within "easy access" of my kids. My 9 y/o loves dragons and knights and fantasy type books. However some of them can have pretty graphic passages in them. I stand there when she browses in that section, to check on what she is looking at, and I have no problem with the bookstores placing the books out like that. However, TDLFAN, you are correct in that this is Disney and people have a certain expection that it will be "safe" for children. So, to sumarize this long winded post, I guess I agree that books such as Jackie Collins should be made unavailable to childern (but I still think they should sell them to adults, maybe somebody wants to read one in a hammock or something)

-dave

"I'm gonna build my own amusement park. But with gambling and hookers!" - Bender
"You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity." - Bullet Tooth Tony

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

I agree with TDL as well (goodness knows we don't always). My kids just randomly pick things up and read them. Don't really want either one of them coming up to me in the park and saying, " Daddy whats a C***?"

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Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

Personally, I don't see a problem with it. Just because it's on WDW property doesn't mean it has to be rated "G". I seriously doubt that kids will want to even pick up a Joan Collins book to read it. If you want to take it a step further, then maybe books should have a rating on them like video games do.

If you want to keep WDW "G" rated, then they should ban the sale of alcohol in the parks and resorts as well.

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

I'm going to be honest and say this is a ridiculous "complaint". It's a book that kids would have no interest in picking up nor would it be very likely for the to happen to turn to the page you did and even read. Plus, I'm guessing here, but the book was probably located higher than little kids could even reach to "accidentally" pick it up and start reading.

Should they take Ellen out of Ellen's Energy Adventure because she's gay? We wouldn't want children exposed to the likes of her, right? That would be bad show.

I mean seriously, it's a book that 99% of kids will never even look at. I rarely even see people IN that book store. Maybe the bigger question is do they even need a bookstore? Or, should the bookstore be themed to the area its in and only have books from that time period? I just think everyone is over reacting here.

“The press [should be] a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can't be right all the time. He doesn't bark only when he sees or smells something that's dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.” – Dan Rather

Re: Why questionable merchandise at WDW?

If you made management aware I'm sure they would pull the book. The Parks pride themselves on being family oriented. Unfortunately to the point of extreme censorship, but that should be expected. It's not a college campus bookstore, it's Disney World.

I remember when they pulled all Manga from the Japan Pavilion. Some of it had sexual situations, but just in case they missed anything else offensive, they pulled it all.
"Should they take Ellen out of Ellen's Energy Adventure because she's gay? We wouldn't want children exposed to the likes of her, right? That would be bad show."

Totally different situation. I do think Disney goes out of it's way to be PC, but that helps it appeal to everyone. It makes the magic our families enjoy. We can go to Disney without seeing political campaigns on every monitor, or natural disasters in the papers. Some people are made nervous by gay politics/lifestyles (sad, but true.) We all know that Disney is gay-friendly, as well as Catholic-friendly, Jewish-friendly, puppy-friendly...etc. The only people not welcome in Disney World are the ones with mousetraps in their pockets. : )